WTTC Brings Together More Than 100 Global Speakers for the World's Most Influential Travel & Tourism Event: WTTC’s Global Summit

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled the full programme for its 26th Global Summit in Valletta, Malta, bringing together more than 100 global speakers for what is the most influential gathering of public and private sector leaders in Travel & Tourism anywhere in the world.

Taking place under the theme FUTU[RE]SET, no other event in the sector combines this level of seniority and global representation. Over two days, the Summit will welcome CEOs, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Commissioners, senior policymakers, tourism authorities and former Heads of State from every region of the world to discuss the forces reshaping global Travel & Tourism.

The programme features an extensive delegation of leaders from G20 economies and others, alongside representatives from international institutions, government bodies and many of the world's most prominent Travel & Tourism businesses. From airlines, airports and hotels to destinations, technology companies, investors and tourism authorities, FUTU[RE]SET will reflect the full breadth of the global Travel & Tourism ecosystem.

The Summit programme is built around WTTC's eight strategic priorities: enabling safe and seamless travel, strengthening destination stewardship, advancing sustainability, harnessing emerging technologies and AI, improving crisis preparedness, expanding connectivity, developing the workforce of the future and unlocking investment and economic growth opportunities.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “The WTTC Global Summit brings together an extraordinary range of voices at a moment when Travel & Tourism is being reshaped by AI, technology, changing traveller expectations, geopolitics and new patterns of investment and growth.

“Our eight strategic priorities provide a clear framework for action, but it is through conversations like these – bringing governments and business leaders together – that we can turn opportunities into progress. Malta provides an exceptional setting to challenge thinking, share solutions and build the partnerships needed to shape the next decade of our sector.”

Mr Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, said: “The programme for FUTU[RE]SET reflects the extraordinary breadth of issues shaping the future of Travel & Tourism. Over the summit, leaders from across our global industry will address some of the most important questions facing our sector. What makes this programme particularly valuable is the diversity of perspectives it brings together. Airlines, airports, hotels, cruise operators, technology companies, governments, tourism authorities and international organisations will all have a seat at the table, creating an important platform for sharing experience, challenging established thinking and identifying opportunities for collaboration.”

The Summit will open with senior Maltese leaders setting out the country's vision for the future of Travel & Tourism. Dr. Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta; H.E. Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister of Malta; H.E. Dr. Jo Etienne Abela, Minister for Tourism of Malta; and Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, will join WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio and WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara as the Summit gets underway.

A key feature of the programme will be the exclusive Global Leaders Dialogue, which will bring together Ministers, policymakers and global business leaders for candid discussions on the future competitiveness of Travel & Tourism. The Global Leaders Dialogue will feature two highly interactive, moderator-led panel discussions, each bringing together eight Ministers and four global CEOs for a genuine exchange of perspectives rather than a series of formal interventions.

The Summit will also mark the launch of the WTTC Youth Movement, a new global initiative designed to inspire greater interest in careers across Travel & Tourism and give young people a meaningful voice in shaping the sector's future. Addressing the industry's growing workforce and skills needs, the programme will bring together around 90 students and 10 professors from 16 partner institutions, representing more than 30 nationalities. Through direct engagement with industry leaders, participation in Summit discussions, networking opportunities and a youth-led Malta Declaration, the initiative aims to strengthen the connection between the sector and the next generation of talent while creating a lasting platform for dialogue beyond the Summit itself.

The Summit will also provide the platform for WTTC to accelerate its Together in Travel initiative, a global effort designed to connect, support and champion small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which represent around 85% of the global Travel & Tourism community. As WTTC works towards its ambition of building a one million-strong community of Travel & Tourism SMEs, Summit delegates will hear how the initiative is providing businesses with practical tools, insights, networking opportunities and a stronger collective voice in global policy discussions. 

Shaping the future agenda for Travel & Tourism

Across the programme, delegates will explore the most pressing opportunities and challenges facing the sector through discussions including “Digital Identity: Resetting the Border Experience”, “AI Unlocked: The New Era of Travel”, “Unlocking the Power of Travel & Tourism SMEs”, “Building Resilience in an Age of Disruption”, “Destination Stewardship: The Right Kind of Growth”, “Connecting the World: The Future of Mobility”, “Tourism for All”, and “Public and Private Leadership: The Next Trillion Dollar Investment”.

These conversations will focus on how governments and businesses can work together to accelerate innovation, improve connectivity, enable seamless travel, strengthen sustainability efforts, attract investment, develop talent, support destinations and create greater resilience in an increasingly complex global environment.

The Summit will also examine the future traveller, the growth of luxury and wellness tourism, the emergence of new tourism powerhouses such as India, the changing investment landscape, Europe's future competitiveness, next-generation leadership and the growing importance of accessibility and impact-driven travel.

The Summit will conclude with Moving Forward Together, bringing Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC; Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Chairman of WTTC; and Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, back to the stage to reflect on the key themes, commitments and actions that emerged throughout FUTU[RE]SET. As the global Travel & Tourism community looks ahead, the session will reinforce the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in delivering a stronger, more resilient and future-ready industry, before culminating with the announcement of the host destination for the 2027 WTTC Global Summit.

Speakers confirmed for the Global Summit

Former Heads of State and Global Political Leaders

• Justin Trudeau, Former Prime Minister of Canada
• José María Aznar, Former Prime Minister of Spain
• Nick Adams, US Minister for Tourism and Presidential Envoy
• Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, European Commission
• Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, European Commission

Ministers

• H.E. Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects, Malta
• Jonathan Attard, Minister for Planning, Infrastructure and Employment, Malta
• Jordi Hereu, Minister of Industry and Tourism, Spain
• Gianmarco Mazzi, Minister of Tourism, Italy
• H.E. Patricia de Lille, Minister for Tourism, South Africa
• H.E. Olga Kefalogianni, Minister of Tourism, Greece
• H.E. Tonči Glavina, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Croatia
• H.E. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Türkiye
• H.E. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister for Tourism, India
• Harris Whitbeck, Minister of Tourism, Guatemala
• Abdulmohsen Al-Mazyad, Vice Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Rosario Sanchez Grau, Secretary of State for Tourism, Spain
• H.E. Sherif Fathy Attia, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Arab Republic of Egypt
• Robert O'Leary, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism, US Department of Commerce
• Suman Billa, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, India
• Bernardo Cueto, Secretary of Tourism, Quintana Roo, Mexico
• Michelle Fridman, Secretary of Tourism, State of Jalisco, Mexico

Global Travel & Tourism Industry Leaders

• Christopher J. Nassetta, President & CEO, Hilton
• Elie Maalouf, Global CEO, IHG Hotels & Resorts
• Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Group
• Jane Sun, CEO, Trip.com Group
• Alejandro Reynal, President & Chief Executive Officer, Four Seasons
• Audrey Hendley, President, American Express Travel
• Gloria Fluxà, Vice-Chairman & Chief Sustainability Officer, Iberostar Group
• William Heinecke, Founder and Chairman, Minor International PCL
• Neal Jones, President EMEA, Marriott International
• Greg O'Hara, Founder & Senior Managing Director, Certares
• Eijiro Yamakita, Chairperson, JTB Corp.
• Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO, Accor
• Carlo Bonomi, CEO, Investindustrial
• Desirée Bollier, Chair & Global Chief Merchant, The Bicester Collection
• Cara Morton, CEO, Global Businesses & Operations, Zurich Insurance Group
• Ayad Al Balushi, CEO, OMRAN Group
• Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports
• Tony Fernandes, CEO & Co-Founder, Capital A Group
• Jörg Eberhart, CEO, ITA Airways
• Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL)
• Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, U.S. Travel Association
• Zubin Karkaria, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global
• Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO, Tourism Development Fund, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Caroline Beteta, President & CEO, Visit California
• Aqeel Al-Shibani, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority
• Paolo Barletta, CEO, Arsenale Group
• Matthew Upchurch, Chairman & CEO, Virtuoso; Chairman, Together in Travel
• Hamza Farooqui, CEO, Millat Group
• Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO, Diriyah Company
• James Thornton, CEO, Intrepid Travel
• Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO, Almosafer Travel & Tourism Co.
• Pansy Ho, Group Executive Chairman & Managing Director, Shun Tak Holdings
• Gaurav Bhatnagar, Co-Founder, TBO.com
• Laurent Gardinier, President, Relais & Châteaux
• Julie Shainock, Global Managing Director, Microsoft
• Christie Travers-Smith, Director, EMEA Strategic Partnerships, Google
• Randy Durband, CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
• Tim Gray, Founder, Health Optimisation
• John Sage, Founder & CEO, Accessible Travel Solutions
• Shawn Pisani, Vice President, HelmsBriscoe
• Mark Weingard, Founder & CEO, Iniala Group
• Andrea Grisdale, CEO & Founder, IC Bellagio
• Maher Koubaa, President EMEA, Amadeus

Members of Parliament, Commissioners and International Organisations

• Daniel Attard, Member of the European Parliament, Committee on Transport and Tourism
• H.E. Nikolina Brnjac, Member of the European Parliament, Croatia
• Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, Commissioner for Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry and Minerals, African Union
• Mohamed AlSharhan, Managing Director, World Governments Summit
• Doreen Silver Katusiime, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda
• Diane J. Sabatino, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Young Tae Kim, Secretary-General, International Transport Forum
• Julian Kassum, Deputy Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce
• Don Welsh, President & CEO, Destinations International

Destination, Policy and Tourism Development Leaders

• Miguel Sanz, Director-General, Turespaña
• Leslie Vella, Chief Officer Strategic Development, Malta Tourism Authority
• Kevin Fsadni, Deputy CEO & Chief Officer (Product & Regulatory), Malta Tourism Authority
• Bruno Despujol, Global Lead for Leisure & Hospitality, Oliver Wyman
• Laura Sileo Pavat, Global Brand Homes Director, Diageo

Gastronomy and Cultural Tourism

• Simon Rogan, Chef Patron, Simon Rogan Restaurants
• Keith Abela, Head of Sustainability, ION Harbour by Simon Rogan
• Jonathan Brincat, Head Chef, Noni Restaurant Valletta
• Dr Noel Buttigieg, Head of Department of Tourism Management, University of Malta

– ENDS – 
 
For more information about WTTC, please visit wttc.org  
 
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Rob Morris at The PC Agency via [email protected]

About the World Travel & Tourism Council

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global body representing the private sector of Travel & Tourism and the leading authority on the sector’s economic and social contribution worldwide. Its members include Chairmen, Presidents and CEOs of the world’s leading travel and tourism companies across hotels, airlines, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, technology platforms and destinations, spanning every major region globally.

WTTC works to advance sustainable growth across the Travel & Tourism sector by driving collaboration between industry leaders and governments, shaping global policy, and providing authoritative research on the sector’s economic impact worldwide. 

About the Malta Tourism Authority

The Malta Tourism Authority is the national authority responsible for promoting, regulating, and developing tourism in the Maltese Islands, it plays a central role in positioning Malta as a high-quality, sustainable, and internationally competitive tourism destination. The MTA operates under the oversight of the Ministry for Tourism and works closely with government entities, private sector stakeholders, international partners, and local communities to strengthen Malta’s tourism industry. As both regulator and industry partner, the MTA serves as a key facilitator within Malta’s tourism ecosystem. The Authority collaborates with hotels, airlines, cruise operators, event organisers, travel professionals, and international media to promote tourism arrivals and maintain Malta’s competitiveness in the global travel market. The MTA also oversees tourism operations licensing, compliance inspections, research and statistics, tourist information services, quality assurance initiatives, and destination development programmes.